A guided evening tour visiting four of Reykjavik's best craft beer bars, tasting 8-10 Icelandic craft beers from Borg Brugghús, Kaldi, Einstök, and smaller microbreweries, with a guide explaining the story of Iceland's late-to-arrive brewing scene and the individual character of each beer. Food pairings are included at two stops.
The Icelandic Craft Beer Tour, run by Reykjavik Craft Beer Tours, is a three-hour evening tour visiting four of Reykjavik's craft beer bars, beginning at Micro Bar on Austurstræti in the city centre. Over the course of the evening, participants taste 8 to 10 Icelandic craft beers from breweries including Borg Brugghús, Kaldi, and Einstök, along with smaller microbreweries that have emerged as part of Iceland's relatively young craft beer scene. Beer was banned in Iceland until 1989, and the guide uses this history to frame how quickly the craft brewing industry has grown since, explaining the character and brewing story behind each beer sampled at the four stops.
The ISK 12,000 (about $86) per-person price includes all 8 to 10 beer tastings, food pairings at two of the four bars, a guide throughout, and background on Icelandic brewing history. Movement between the four bars is on foot within central Reykjavik, and no separate transport is included. The tour runs in English with small groups and an unhurried pace that allows time for conversation with bartenders and fellow participants at each stop. Because the tour centres on beer tasting, it is intended for participants of legal drinking age (20 in Iceland) and is not suited to non-drinkers seeking food-forward content; food pairings at two stops offer some solid food alongside the tastings, but the core experience is beer-focused.
| Price | ISK 12,000 (~$86) per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Address | Micro Bar, Austurstræti 6, 101 Reykjavík (meeting point) |
What is included
- 8-10 craft beer tastings, food pairings at 2 bars, guide, brewery history
Good to know
- Operator
- Reykjavik Craft Beer Tours
Weather through the year in Iceland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Iceland.
Location
Micro Bar, Austurstræti 6, 101 Reykjavík (meeting point)
64.1480, -21.9400 View on map
Highlights
- Four craft beer bars visited over one evening, starting at Micro Bar
- 8 to 10 tastings from Borg Brugghús, Kaldi, Einstök, and microbreweries
- Food pairings included at two of the four stops
- Guide narration on Iceland's post-1989 craft brewing history
- Small-group, English-language evening tour
Tips for visiting
- This tour requires participants to be of Iceland's legal drinking age (20)
- Eat something substantial before the tour, since food pairings are only included at two of the four stops
- Pace tastings across the evening, as 8 to 10 beers over three hours adds up
- Wear warm layers for the walk between the four bars in central Reykjavik
- Book ahead for weekend evenings, when craft beer bars in Reykjavik get busy
When to visit
Runs year-round in the evening; weeknight departures tend to be quieter than weekend evenings, when the bars are busiest.
Accessibility
The four bars are within walking distance in central Reykjavik on paved streets, though some venues have limited seating and standing-room-only sections during busy evenings.
Frequently asked questions
Is food included?
Food pairings are included at two of the four bars visited; the other two stops are tasting-only.
What is the minimum age for this tour?
Participants must meet Iceland's legal drinking age of 20, since the tour is centred on alcohol tastings.
How many beers are tasted in total?
Between 8 and 10 different Icelandic craft beers are sampled across the four bars.
Who operates this tour?
The tour is run by Reykjavik Craft Beer Tours, starting at Micro Bar on Austurstræti.